How did one piece of paperwork end this North Texas baseball squad’s season?
Poolville baseball’s entire season came down to one “prior athletic participation form” not being filled out, Poolville ISD told the Star-Telegram on Friday.
The Monarchs, champions of District 13-2A, were removed from the playoffs as a result.
The form, also called a PAPF, is the University Interscholastic League’s transfer eligibility form. It must be completed for the transferring student to be granted athletic eligibility.
Poolville ISD superintendent Chris Pennington called the mishandling of the PAPF an “unintentional administrative mistake with no nefarious intent.”
The PAPF starts at the athlete’s current school and is required to be sent to the old school. The form is to be filled out and sent back to the current school before being sent to the District Executive Committee for approval.
Former coaches have the option to not sign off, claiming the transfer is for athletic purposes. If that happens, a DEC hearing will determine eligibility. Families and athletes have the option to appeal a DEC ruling to the UIL State Executive Committee.
On Facebook, the mother of the Poolville student-athlete in question said her son was approved for transfer with full eligibility, but the mishandling of the PAPF changed that. She said the family lives in Fort Worth but drives to Poolville for school.
This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 1:04 PM.
.jpg)